January 27, 2011

It’s not a world-beating team, but the White Sox are my early pick for the AL Central, edging out the Tigers and a little above the Twins. The team’s not headed for a 95-win season, but they are generally solid without a lot of major holes, though they could use another bullpen arm. …

Williams talked to Garcia’s camp about the White Sox rotation situation, although no numbers were exchanged and Williams said there haven’t been talks with Garcia for at least two or three weeks.

and

“We have no idea what is going to happen in Spring Training, regarding Peavy at this point, other than what Peavy tells us,” said Williams with a laugh. “So, [Garcia] would be coming in with no guarantee that he would start at all.

“If he did start, it would only be for a shorter time and then he would move to the bullpen. Somebody would move to the bullpen, as [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] tends to go with whoever is pitching the best.

“That situation doesn’t seem like one Freddy wants to be in,” Williams said. “But I’m not sure what’s out there for him or what motivates him. I know he likes Chicago.”

The White Sox may be consideringFreddy Garcia, but Garcia had a different team in his sights when he spoke yesterday with Israel Pacheco Velásquez from the Venezuelan paper Meridiano. “My preference is to be with the New York Yankees, and it’s not unreasonable to have that in mind, because I’ve demonstrated that I can be useful,” Garcia said. “A team like New York would be ideal for my age, [as would ] playing in a successful, media-heavy, demanding division. Without doubt it would be an inspiration.”